CURRENT RESEARCH

Research

My research interests are multidisciplinary as well as holistic. They are focused on the reconstruction of Earth's environmental/climatic history, the assessment of our ability to model it, and the use of this information to examine potential scenarios for future climate change. Some highlights of my research include:

• Exploration of the importance of vegetation climate feedbacks in palaeoclimate modelling exercises
• Examination of ocean temperature responses during past greenhouse climates
• Prediction of ENSO behaviour during past warm intervals
• Reconstruction of Cretaceous climate dynamics using a limited area climate model
• Assessment of equator to pole temperature gradients during the past and implied changes in atmospheric versus oceanic heat transport

My particular area of expertise is in the synthesis of global palaeoclimate proxy data and then the use of this data as prescribed boundary conditions within a model, or as a validation tool for model predictions. In essence my research niche is to provide an interface between climate modellers and earth scientists. Numerical climate models are currently at the forefront in the quest to predict accurately the dynamics and consequences of future climate change. It is necessary to test the robustness of output produced by such models through comparison to palaeoclimate proxy data. The importance of developing data sets of boundary conditions to initially force and then evaluate palaeoclimate modelling experiments has clearly been demonstrated by the CLIMAP, COHMAP, GLARMAP, PRISM & GEACEP initiatives. Data from one locality is of little use in evaluating model output or for developing a full understanding of past climate dynamics. However, once data has been properly synthesised across a region or globe its usefulness, in conjunction with climate model simulations, is immense. This research field is dynamic and continuing to grow significantly in importance. The techniques used in data synthesis and data/model comparison studies are applicable to any time slice of the geological record. The international importance of research which investigates past climate history and aims to understand the interactive physical, chemical and biological processes that regulate the total Earth system, is underlined by global initiatives such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and Past Global Changes Core Project (PAGES).

Current Projects